National Republican., 1887-01-25
THE HOUSE.

Under the call of the states the following
measures were introduced and appropri-
ately referred:
BY Mr.. Springer, of Illinois: Proposing
constitutional amendment changing the tlme
for the assembling oi Congress to the first
Wednesday OF January of each year.
BY Mr.. Lawler of Illinois: Resolution direct
ing the committee on naval affairs to inquire
into the expedency OF Immediately appro-
priating 500 900 900 to be expended under the
direction OF the Secretary of the Navy for
the construction, equipment, and armament
ofsueh new vessels OF war us may be deemed
necessary.
BY Mr.. Clardy, of Missouri To incorporate
the Atlantic aud Pacific ship Railway Com.
BY Mr.. Hires, of New Jersey Defining the
duties of crews ofthe lifc.saving service.
BY Mr. stehinecker, of New York For. the
TRANSMISSION of books through the mails at
secoud-class postage.
BY Mr.. Joseph, of New Mexico: For the ap-
nointment of joint committee to visit New
Mexico and obtain information as to private
land claims in that territory.
By Mr.. Glass, of Tennessee: Requiring cer-
tain reports ofthe Department Of Agriculture
BY Mr.. Thomas, of Illinois: To increase the
naval establishment. ... ~ ...
1T authorizes the construction of two steel
cruisers of about 1900 tons displacement, of
the type of 'cruiser No. l, at cost, exclusive
OF armament, of not more than 81 800 900 each;
hye steel gunboats OF the type Of ',gunboat No:
J." at O cost, exclusive OF armament, OF not
more than s520,000 each, and six steel torpedo
boats, having a maximum speed OF not less
sS,tS than n sn9' Pss Sp S sT
propriation of s5, ,sO0, 900 is made by the bill.
Mr.. Clements, Of Georgia, from the com
mittee on civil service reform, reported
back resolution calling on the Secretary
of the Treasury for information relative to
the employment Of substitutes in his de-
partment. Adopted.
Mr.. Belmont, of New York, from the
committee on foreign affairs, reported back
the following resolution, which was
adopted:
Rtsolred, That the President be requested to
transmit to the House copies Of such corre-
government and the British government as he
may decide can now properly be made public
in regard 10 the deprivation inflicted In Cana
the fight tight to to- touch and trade. s'I Of the liberty liberty
heretofore enjoyed by such vessels to enter
Canadian ports open TO foreign vessels to buy
and sell, and to transmit merchandise therein,
and which is permitted in such ports to
American trading vessels and vessels Of oil
other nalionalities.
In the morning hour Mr.. Thompson, OF
Ohio, on behalf of the committee on private
land claims, called up the bill abrogating
the powers Of the executive officers Of the
United States in allowing indemnity loca-
tions or scrip for confirmed unsatisfed pri-
vate land claims and vesting that power in
United States courts. Passed.
The House then went into committee of
the whole mr. Richardson, of Tennessee, in
the chairl on the river and harbor appropri-
alton bill.
More than two hours were spentin discus
sion upon an amendment offered by Mr..
Anderson, of Kansas, appropriating lump
sum Of S7,430, 900, to be expended by the
Secretary Of War either for the repair,
preservation; construction, or completion
OF such public Improvements OF rivers and
harbors as shall In his judgment afford
practical and important facilities for trans
portatiOn by water OF interstate commerce,
and also an amendment proposed by Mr..
Adams, Of Illinois, to increase the amount
of the appropriation to $4,000, 900. Both
OF these proposed amendments were re.
jected.
Mr.. Hepburn, of Iowa, offered an amend
ment providing that the appropriations
made In the bill shall be expended without
theintervention of the Mississippi or Mis-
souIi river commissions.
More than an hour and a half was con-
sumed in securing quorum, and then the
amendment was rejected-7 to l57.
Mr.. La Toilette, of Wisconsin, offered an
amendment providing that the appropria.
tions shall be expended under the direction
OF the President.
Mr.. Willis, OF Kentucky, called attention
to the condition of the bill. 1t has been
under consideration all day, and the first
phIhSTdpn III tne piii nus not pteu phsoeu
upon. Before the creation of the commit
tee on rivers and harbors 1t had been the
practice to pass this appropriation bill un-
der suspension of the rules. The COM
mittee had considered this bad practice
and had determined that the House should
have every opportunity for an amendment.
He hoped that gentlemen who opposed the
measure would not by their action compel
the committee to 20 back to the practice Of
suepending the rules In order to secure the
passage of the bill.
On Mr.. La Follettes amendment no
quorum voted, and the committee, having
advanced not one step in the consideration
of the bill, rose and the House Cat 5:l0)
adjourned.